Frequently Asked Questions

How do I format a hanging indent for my bibliography/works cited/references?

Various citation styles, including Chicago, APA, and MLA, require you to format your sources at the end of your paper a certain way, often times with a hanging indent. Here is how to do that in both Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Google Docs

1. Insert your citation as you normally would into your bibliography.
2. Highlight the citation.
3. Select "Format" from the navigation menu at the top of the screen.
4. Select "Align & Indent" from the dropdown list.
5. Select "Indentation Options".
6. You will see an option for "Special indent". Select "Hanging" from the dropdown.
7. Set the amount in the right box next to Hanging to .5 for 1/2 an inch.
8. Click Apply.

Microsoft Word

1. Insert your citation as you normally would into your bibliography.
2. Highlight the citation.
3. Right click/CMD click.
4. Select "Paragraph" from the menu that appears.
5. Under the Heading "Indentation" there is a box labeled "Special". Click where it says "(none)".
6. Select "Hanging" from the dropdown.
7. Click "OK" at the bottom of the popup box.